We were sad to pack up the Electricity materials and pack them away at the end of the science unit. There was a lot of tinkering and problem solving going on as we learned to build electrical circuits and such a sense of accomplishment when we were successful. We drew diagrams of electrical circuits in our science notebooks and we are working on a science/art project demonstrating a circuit. These projects will go into our portfolios to share on Portfolio Sharing Day.

Animals in Winter

We are currently doing a project based unit of study on Animals in Winter. We launched the unit with close readings of The Mitten by Jan Brett. Based on a Ukranian folktale, The Mitten, is a fiction story of animals trying to stay warm in winter. Next we pursued the question, “What do animals really do in winter?” We learned that animals adapt, migrate, or hibernate. Based on student choice, kids were placed in groups to research animals. Using books and web sources we are hunting for facts about animals and what they do in winter. Each group will present their findings to the class. Which leads to the next news item……

Volunteers

We could really, really, really, really use some volunteers! Our student teachers finished at the end of December, some of our regular volunteers have taken on other commitments. If you would like to volunteer, we could use help in several areas. The most pressing need right now is volunteers to help groups with their animal research and writing. Email us if have times you could come in to work with a small group.

Another volunteer opportunity is Choice Time. Thank you to all the parents who came and helped for the last Choice Time! We had a great turnout. Our next one will be January 29, 8:30 - 9:30. We have the students brainstorm a menu of choices, then choose an activity. With parent volunteers we are able to fulfill more of the student requests. Let us know if you can help on 1/29.

A BIG Thank you!!!!!!!!!

Lisa Volmer and Lydia spent a day over winter break helping us with scrubbing, dusting and deep cleaning the classrooms. It was so very needed and much appreciated!!!!

Classroom Needs

snacks

clorox wipes

play doh for choice time

Upcoming:

•Portfolio Sharing on February 11th : 7:30 - 9:30 am

Plan on spending half an hour that morning viewing your child’s work.

•Student/Parent/ Teacher Conferences February 12th After viewing your child’s work at portfolio sharing, we will review the Fall Goal Setting Form from the fall to discuss progress towards goals and new goals for the remainder of the year.